NAFDAC assures of willing to partner stakeholders in export trade of Agro Products
The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has assured of its willing to partner with stakeholders towards achieving a win-win in Export trade in Agro Products in the country.
In his presentation at the recently concluded Chinet Aviacargo Conference at Marriott Hotel Ikeja Lagos, on the role of NAFDAC in Agro export processing in Nigeria, Ayankop E Ayankop, Deputy Director Ports Inspection Directorate of NAFDAC stated that non of its regulated Product certified by the agency for export has been rejected.
Ayankop disclosed that regulatory control is a necessary tool and enabler of trade and not a barrier.
He emphasised that the importance of Compliance with regulatory guidelines can not be over emphasized.
NAFDAC Deputy Director Ports Inspection Directorate stated that based on the act setting the agency up, no Processed Food, Drug, Drug Product, Cosmetic, Medical Device or Water shall be Manufactured, Imported, Exported, Advertised, Sold or distributed in Nigeria unless it has been Registered in accordance with the Provision of the Decree or Regulations made under it.
He also listed NAFDAC Regulated Products for Export to include Food (Processed and Semi-processed, Bulk, Destined
for further processing, food raw materials, etc), Pharmaceuticals (Drugs/Pharma raw materials), Cosmetics/Household items/products,
Medical Devices, Chemicals (Agrochemicals, Food Additives, Fertilizers among others.
He stated further that NAFDAC regulates for Safety, Quality, wholesomeness and efficacy of export products.
The measures include: Quality Assurance: NAFDAC is responsible for ensuring that exported products meet specified quality standards for the international markets.
This includes conducting Inspection, Sampling, and Testing to verify that
the products are safe for consumption or use, Ayankop said.
On regulatory compliance, he pointed out that NAFDAC establishes and enforces regulatory standards for exported products, stressing that exporters must adhere to these standards to ensure that their products comply with Nigerian
regulations, covering issues such as labeling, packaging, and ingredient
specifications
Ayankop added that NAFDAC conducts risk assessments on exported products to identify potential hazards or risks associated with their consumption or use, while continuous monitoring and market surveillance is also implemented to ensure ongoing compliance.
According to him, “NAFDAC has the authority to enforce regulations related to exported products. Non-compliance can lead to penalties, product seizure, or even export restrictions to protect public health”.
He explained that NAFDAC facilitates Agro Export processes by processing issuance of export Certificate online on Single Trade Window https://trade.gov.ng, analyse all products for export for free of charge as certificate are issued at subsidized fees especially Agro product
for export, accelerate processing time for export products (Short
timeline) and continuous engagement with stakeholders to enlighten and
address all challenges in confronting the export.
He listed some of Agro export challenges to include exporting regulated products without recourse to NAFDAC
processes, non-adherence to standardized clearance procedure by freight
forwarders and Cargo handlers, non-adherence to country trade specification for packaging, labelling, MRL and ban chemicals by the exporters, no adequate and standardized export terminal at the ports of exit, inadequate synergy/collaboration with Sister agencies at the ports of exit,lack of adequate information on the trade partner’s country’s requirement.
On implication of non-compliance with NAFDAC export guidelines, Ayankop stated that: “Rejection of NAFDAC regulated products at borders of importing countries for several reasons bordering on quality and standard due
to poor handling and non-compliance with regulatory processes by exporters.
Product destruction by importing country. Public health safety of importing country threatened.
Trade relationships are threatened between trading partner countries”.
He outlined the common reasons for rejection of Agro products in the
export market to include excess levels of Aflatoxin, high levels of pesticide residue and heavy metals, high levels of veterinary drug residue, contamination of food produce with Salmonella and other microbes, high Count of E. coli, absence of mandatory Health Certificate issued by NAFDAC and unprofessional practices.
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